For yacht owners and captains, choosing a Williams tender is rarely a single-model decision; it is a choice between two ranges built around different priorities. The TurboJet range is engineered for practical, everyday tender duty, while the SportJet range is engineered for watersports and larger guest groups. This guide compares the two ranges: TurboJet’s 285, 325, and new MX line against SportJet’s 345, 395, 435, 460, and 520, so you can select the right range and the right model for your yacht.
SportJet vs TurboJet at a Glance
The TurboJet range suits owners wanting a practical, all-round tender for guest transfers and shore trips, fitting yachts from 12 m to 21 m on a consistent 90 hp platform. The SportJet range suits owners prioritising watersports and larger guest capacity, spanning yachts from 16 m to 30 m+ with engines scaling from 90 hp to 230 hp.
TurboJet: Williams’ All-Round Original
The Williams TurboJet is built for practical tender duty rather than outright performance, running a single 90 hp BRP Rotax ACE 903 engine across its core range and fitting yachts from 12m to 21m (39–69 ft). The TurboJet 285 suits yachts from 12m; the low-profile TurboJet 285LP shares the same footprint with a reduced stowed height for tighter garages, while the TurboJet 325 is designed for yachts 16m and above, with seating for 4 persons.
Because every core TurboJet shares the same engine, the range scales through hull length and beam rather than horsepower; a 325 does not out-accelerate a 285, but it carries more guests and gear in a longer hull. This makes the TurboJet range straightforward to specify: owners choose a model based on yacht size and passenger count, not on chasing a bigger engine.
TurboJet MX: The Newest Generation
Williams launched the TurboJet MX range in August 2026 as a more accessible entry point into the TurboJet family, comprising the 280MX and 320MX. The 280MX measures 2.79m (9 ft 2 in), carries a 60hp engine, seats 3, and suits yachts from 11m+ (38 ft+). The 320MX steps up to 3.19m (10 ft 5 in) with a 90hp BRP Rotax ACE 903 petrol engine and seating for 4 persons, and is specified for yachts of 14–20m (46–66 ft). The MX line is also lighter than the classic TurboJet range and comes at a surprisingly accessible price point compared with a regular TurboJet or SportJet, while retaining the same Williams build standards.
SportJet: Built for Performance and Watersports
The Williams SportJet range combines performance-focused hull design, agile handling and comfortable, sociable layouts, creating a versatile sports tender for everything from everyday yacht transfers to watersports and high-speed fun. Every SportJet, from the 3.45m SportJet 345 to the 5.19 m SportJet 520, is designed to keep guests close to the action, whether towing a skier or sitting at anchor with the swim platform within easy reach.
It is worth stating plainly: SportJet does not always mean more power than TurboJet. The entry-level SportJet 345 and 395 use the same 90hp Rotax ACE 903 engine as the TurboJet range; they’re built differently, not more powerful. Power genuinely scales up from the SportJet 435 upward, which offers 90hp or 130hp engine options, through the 170hp SportJet 460, to the 230 hp SportJet 520 for the largest motherships. The distinguishing factor across the whole SportJet range is hull design and watersports capability, not engine size alone.
Which Tender Fits Your Yacht and Lifestyle?
Matching a Williams tender to your yacht comes down to how you’ll use it day to day, not just what fits in the garage.
Family Cruising and Practical Day Trips: TurboJet
Owners who use their tender mainly for guest transfers, crew runs, and trips to the quayside are best served by the TurboJet range. Its consistent 90 hp platform across the 285 and 325 keeps operation simple; its lighter dry weight eases davit and crane safe working load (SWL) considerations, and the 285LP’s low-profile height suits yachts with tighter garage clearance.
Watersports, Adrenaline and Larger Yachts: SportJet
Owners who want skiing, wakeboarding, and towing built into the itinerary, and who are cruising aboard larger yachts with more guests to entertain, are better served by the SportJet range. Its removable ski pole, rotating backrest, and hull designs optimised for handling at speed make it the more purpose-fit choice once watersports become a regular part of the guest experience.
Own a 16–20m Yacht? Here’s Where Size Stops Deciding It
For owners in the 16–20 m band, yacht size alone will not tell you which range to choose, because the TurboJet 325, the new TurboJet MX 320MX, and the SportJet 345 all fit comfortably in this bracket. The TurboJet 325 and the TurboJet MX 320MX both seat 4 persons, so the choice between them comes down to weight and fuel: the 320MX is lighter at 255 kg (562 lb), while the 325 carries a larger 40 L tank. The SportJet 345 accommodates five people and brings a sport-focused hull and watersports-oriented design into the same yacht-size category.
At this size, the decision comes down to how you’ll use the tender rather than what will physically fit. An owner who mostly runs guests to shore and back will get more day-to-day value from a TurboJet; an owner who wants to ski or wakeboard regularly will get more value from a SportJet, even though both technically fit the same yacht. Not sure which model fits your yacht? Speak to a Williams specialist who can advise on garage compatibility, crane SWL, and guest capacity requirements for your specific vessel.
SportJet and TurboJet Models at a Glance
*Any information relating to weights, dimensions, power, speed, capacity or fuel consumption given in our datasheets, brochures, on our website or in any other correspondence is for guidance only and may vary.
Customization: What Actually Differs
- The TurboJet and SportJet ranges offer the same core customization options, including tube colors, upholstery, gelcoat finishes for the helm, deck and the option to add your own logo to the upholstery.
- The SportJet adds a few more choices. These include cleat pad colors, powered tube inflation, weather protection options such as a bimini, and watersports features like a single-point lift, boarding pole and speed control cluster.
- The TurboJet MX keeps things much simpler, with two tube colors, white vinyl upholstery, white gelcoat, one SeaDek finish and a focused range of accessories.
- If matching your yacht’s colors and styling is a priority, the TurboJet and SportJet offer the greatest flexibility. The MX offers a simpler way to specify your tender while retaining the same Williams DNA.
Conclusion
The TurboJet and SportJet ranges are built around different priorities rather than different levels of quality: TurboJet for practical, everyday tender duty on a consistent 90 hp platform, and SportJet for watersports and larger guest groups with power scaling up through the range. Owners in the 16–20 m band should weigh how the tender will actually be used, not just which models fit the garage, since both ranges genuinely overlap there. Review your yacht’s garage dimensions and davit SWL against the tables above, then talk to a specialist to confirm the right fit.
Explore the full Williams range or configure your ideal tender to see how a TurboJet or SportJet model would be specified for your yacht.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What’s the main difference between a SportJet and a TurboJet?
The main difference is purpose rather than power: the TurboJet range is built for practical, everyday tender duty on a consistent 90 hp platform, while the SportJet range is built around a sports hull, watersports equipment, and greater guest capacity. Williams scales the TurboJet through hull size and the SportJet through both hull size and, in larger models, engine power. - Does SportJet always have more power than TurboJet?
No. The entry-level SportJet 345 and 395 use the same 90 hp Rotax ACE 903 engine as the TurboJet range. Power only scales beyond the TurboJet’s level from the SportJet 435 upward, which offers 130 hp, rising to 170 hp on the SportJet 460 and 230 hp on the SportJet 520. - Which is better for waterskiing or wakeboarding?
The SportJet range is better suited to waterskiing and wakeboarding, with a removable ski pole and rotating backrest. The TurboJet range can handle light, occasional towing, but it is not purpose-built for regular watersports the way the SportJet range is. - Is the TurboJet MX different from the classic TurboJet range?
Yes, the TurboJet MX is a newer, more accessible sub-range launched by Williams in August 2026, comprising the 280MX and 320MX. It sits alongside the classic 285 and 325 models rather than replacing them, offering a lighter build, simpler specification, and a notably more accessible price point for owners entering the TurboJet range for the first time. - How many passengers can each range carry?
The Williams TurboJet range carries between 3 and 4 passengers depending on model, while the Williams SportJet range carries between 5 and 7 passengers. Larger SportJet models such as the 435 and 520 offer the highest guest capacity across both ranges.
